Dress for Success

Communication expert Nan Peck suggests that you dress in such a way that your audience doesn't notice what you are wearing. When in doubt about what to wear, your default should be something conservative.

Communication experts Grice and Skinner recommend that you dress up to convey your seriousness and a positive attitude to your audience.

Darker colors convey authority while lighter colors establish a friendlier image.

Queens University's Career Services offers some useful descriptions of the three general categories of workplace dress: business, business casual and casual. Go to http://careers.queensu.ca/students/Interviewswebshop/preparing.asp to get additional tips on preparing for the interview, what to bring, and presenting a good image, as well as follow-up and thank you notes.

Consider the May 2003 memorandum to faculty and staff at Towson University sent from their Office of Human Resources regarding business casual dress:

"Suggested business casual attire would include collared shirts without ties, decent trousers and golf shirts for men; skorts, culottes, dress slacks and casual shirts for women. Athletic shoes, pants, shorts, jeans or tee shirts are inappropriate for office wear."

Click here to learn more about business casual dress. At http://www.businesscasualdress.com/illustrations.htm view illustrated styles and examples of business casual outfits for both men and women. Then get an overview of the book, “Business Casual Made Easy” by Ilene Amiel, including survey results.